4 Mn Ltrs of Sewage Flows Into City Rivers Daily

SRINAGAR: About 72 dewatering stations of mechanical drainage division Srinagar are working without an STP facility causing immense harm to the water bodies of the Srinagar.

An engineer with the Urban Environment Engineering Department (UEED), wishing not to be named said that about 40 lakh liters of sewage effluent is making its way into the river Jehlum, Doodh Ganga and Flood Spill Channel, Ram Bagh every day.

We are dewatering every kind of waste, urine, sullage, solid waste, manure and even household items which go directly into these water bodies, he said.

Engineer said we are very much concerned about the damage to these aquatic bodies. We have several times recommended authorities to install STP facility at every dewatering station so that damage to these water bodies will stop.

Water (Prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1974 states that contamination of water, such discharge of any sewage or trade effluent or of any other liquid, gaseous or solid substance into water or plants or of aquatic organisms is punishable under law and should be dealt strictly.

Director, Fisheries Department Kashmir, Rajesh Dogra said it is a big concern nowadays. Elsewhere in the country, no dewatering pump can run without STP facility but unfortunately J&K lags behind in this crucial area.

Dogra said we are very much concerned about the rising water pollution which goes on unabated in the state. We have raised this issue with the concerned authorities in couple of meetings, he added.

When contacted Minister for Mechanical Engineering, Abdul Majeed Wani, said the government had earlier planned to setup solid waste management system in the Valley. We are consulting experts regarding this issue so that the glory of these water bodies will be gained back.

Recently, Jammu and Kashmir High Court issued directions to the authorities seeking closure of all the hotels operating without STPs in the Valley. gns

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